An Analysis of Total Personality as Advocated by Holistic Theorists and Its Effect upon Healthy Personality. Final Report.

Frick, Willard B.

This conceptual work is concerned with the development of a holistic theory of personality. The following were selected for their strong orientation in this direction: Gordon Allport, Andras Angyal, Kurt Goldstein, Prescott Lecky, Abraham Maslow, Bardner Murphy, and Carl Rogers. The four themes which emerged from an analysis of their writings are concerned with organization, motivation, process and potentiality. With three minor exceptions, the seven holistic theorists were virtually identical in their basic principles and thematic concerns. The four themes form a supportive structure for the development of a holistic theory of healthy personality and are offered as evidence that the selected theorists represent a shared orientation toward the development of the human personality. An analysis and subsequent synthesis of the seven individual theories is presented. Implications for the theory and practice of psychotherapy and education are offered. (Author/CJ)